Paul Cook has told Pompey to keep on showing the desire they did at Plymouth - and to concentrate on their own game and forget about their opponents.

He was happy with the players' work-rate at Home Park and certainly did not criticise them for failing to hold on to the 2-1 lead they took in the 87th minute.

Cook feels the performance against the league leaders gives the Blues plenty to be positive about in the games to come.

That fixture list now includes another Fratton Park date with Wycombe Wanderers, who will head south in the first round of the FA Cup on the weekend of November 5 / 6.

Cook told the Pompey website after the Plymouth game: 'It was a very entertaining game between two sides who were going at it. Apart from the disappointment of conceding another last-gasp goal at Plymouth, I thought we were comfortably the better team.

'We deserved the three points, but we didn’t get them and good luck to our opponents. They’ve set the pace for a reason — they’re a very good group. But our lads deserve great credit and I think Plymouth will know that we’ll be a threat this season.

'It was a big test for both teams — and both would probably have been happy with a point before the game. But it’s not about the sides we face, it’s about how we play — that’s the important message for me. And I was pleased with our players because we’re showing signs of being a good team after 13 games.

'I never felt uncomfortable in the second half because we were in control. Now we’ve got to make sure we keep that work-rate and desire. Irrespective of the result, I’m very proud of them. I think if you were a Pompey fan at the game then you left pleased with how your team performed.'

Pompey head to Notts Co on Saturday.

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